Engaging employers in immigrant integration

This report addresses the following questions: 1. What do we know about employer engagement in immigrant integration? 2. What conceptual and theoretical strands can guide knowledge about employer engagement in immigrant integration? 3. What can employers do to foster immigrant integration? To answer those questions, the author reviewed the evidence from literature, and complemented this evidence with interviews with key people who are knowledgeable about employers’ role in immigrant integration. The findings unveiled workplace practices that employers could adopt to foster the integration of their immigrant workforce. Examples of these practices are (a) providing English-language training; (b) offering naturalization assistance; (c) providing safety and occupational training in workers’ native languages; (d) having a better understanding of credentials acquired abroad; (e) equipping human resources staff with knowledge in immigration policy and compliance; (f) providing immigrant-conscious employment assistance programs; (g) providing affidavits of support and sponsorship to immigrants trying to adjust their status; (h) negotiating worker-training funds with unions; (i) implementing high-performance work practices that are inclusive of immigrant workers; and (j) partnering with immigrant-serving organizations to enhance employer’s capacity to serve immigrant workers.